TITLE:
Beyond the Urinary System: A Review of Non-Urological Clinical Applications of the Foley Catheter
AUTHORS:
Jintao Duan, Hui Ye, Kaijie Zhou, Kewei Qian
KEYWORDS:
Foley Catheter, Non-Urological Applications, Expanded Clinical Use, Medical Device Review
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.11,
November
4,
2026
ABSTRACT: Objective: Since Frederic Foley introduced the self-retaining balloon catheter in the late 1930s, the Foley catheter has become one of the most widely used indwelling devices in modern medicine, with approximately 100 million units used worldwide each year. Although it was originally designed for continuous bladder drainage and post-prostatectomy management, its self-retaining balloon, multilumen design, low cost, and near-universal availability have led clinicians to apply it to a wide range of non-urological indications. This review synthesizes the evidence for these off-label applications. Methods: MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Embase were searched using Boolean combinations of device concepts and non-urological application concepts. Two reviewers independently screened the records against predefined inclusion criteria. Deduplication yielded approximately 376 records, and 52 articles published between 1937 and 2026 were ultimately retained, with priority given to randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and large case series, while classic historical and technical reports were preserved. Results: The non-urological value of the Foley catheter rests on four recurring mechanisms: balloon tamponade for haemostasis, self-retaining drainage of fluid collections, mechanical dilatation or temporary luminal support, and bridging to definitive therapy. Level 1 - 2 evidence supports cervical ripening and induction of labour. Level 3 evidence supports uterine balloon tamponade for postpartum haemorrhage, and level 2 - 3 evidence supports chest drainage (a 441-case prospective cohort). Level 3 - 4 evidence supports posterior nasal packing and paediatric intussusception reduction; the evidence for junctional trauma haemorrhage control is weak to moderate, resting on a 44-case uncontrolled case series and a recent systematic review and meta-analysis. Most remaining applications are based on case reports and technical notes. Conclusions: The Foley catheter is a versatile, inexpensive, and rapidly deployable multidisciplinary adjunct, but its off-label use carries a defined spectrum of complications, including catheter-associated urinary tract infection, encrustation, pressure necrosis, balloon failure, and catastrophic intracranial misplacement in skull-base trauma. Appropriate selection of indications, meticulous technique, and heightened vigilance are essential.